We’ve selected ten of the world’s best grantmaking donors that support children’s projects around the world. All of the organisations featured offer financial support for NGOs that provide development projects for children as well as cross-cutting issues related to children.
For each donor we have included a brief description of the organisation, its geographical coverage, areas of interest, application procedure and contact details.
Donors often change their funding priorities and eligibility criteria over time. Please check the official website of each donor for the very latest information before applying.
1. The Global Fund for Children
Brief Description: The Global Fund for Children works to transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. The Fund provides small grants to innovative community-based organizations and harnessing the power of children’s books, films and documentary photography to promote global understanding.
Geographical Coverage: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States
Area of Interest: Youth & Adolescents, Vocational Education, Education, Children, HIV/AIDS, Primary Education, Disability
Application Procedure: To apply NGOs must submit a preliminary letter of inquiry, which may be submitted at any time during the year. For more information please click here.
2. Dubai Cares
Brief: Dubai Cares awards grants to implement projects or activities in relation to primary education in developing countries worldwide. The grants are not awarded on a case-by-case basis. Rather, to be considered for funding, proposals should be consistent with Dubai Cares’ annual programming and approved list of intervention countries. While proposals are assessed throughout the year, only during the last quarter are the new programs for the upcoming year finalized and approved
Geograpical Coverage: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan , Sri Lanka, Sudan, Yemen, Zambia,
Area of interest: Children, Education, Nutrition, Agriculture, Food & Nutrition
Application procedure: To ensure a thorough and fair assessment for partnerships with Dubai Cares, interested organizations should follow the process below:
- Provide general information on the organization, its mission, scope of work, operations and governance
- Submit previous years’ annual and audit reports
- Submit reports and assessments regarding previous or ongoing programs related to primary education
- Provide concept notes (3-4 pages) for projects that the organization would like to consider
Brief Description: Waterloo Foundation gives grants to organizations in both the UK and world-wide. The Foundation is most interested in projects that help globally particularly in the areas of disparity of wealth, climate-related issues and child development.
Geographical Coverage: Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Nepal, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Europe and United Kingdom
Area of Interest: Secondary Education, Health, Education, Community Health, Climate Change, Water & Sanitation, Primary Education, Environment, Children, Natural Resources
Application Procedure: The Waterloo Foundation accepts requests for funding under each of their Grant Programmes. Each Grant Programme has specific requirements or deadlines which you must follow if submitting an application for funding. For more information click here.
Brief Description: The UPS Foundation focuses its investment strategy around four pillars aligned with its corporate values and business expertise: Diversity, Community Safety, Environment, and Volunteerism. The Foundation is committed to leveraging business expertise and resources to help deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Geographical Coverage: Global
Area of Interest: Accidents & Traffic Safety, Children, Democracy & Good Governance, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, Humanitarian Relief, Youth & Adolescents, Conservation, Health care
Application Procedure: A written proposal, proof of tax exempt status and reflections of specific project must be submitted to the following address by September 1st: Kenneth Sternad, The UPS Foundation 55 Glenlake Pkwy NE Atlanta, GA 30328
5. Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust
Brief Description: The trust provides grants to organizations registered in the United Kingdom. They support organizations that work with children and young people, those with a disability, living in poverty or who are disadvantaged in Hertfordshire.
Geographical Coverage: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom
Area of Interest: Youth & Adolescents, Children, Disability
Application Procedure: You can submit your application only electronically. The Trust will usually let respond within one month to indicate whether you should submit a full application.
Brief Description: The EDF Foundation’s mission is to primarily support the development of targeted and specific programs to help young people find their place in society. The Foundation also supports solidarity initiatives in France and around the world by supporting the actors involved.
Geographical Coverage: Global
Area of Interest: Children, Education, Employment & Labor, Environment, Science, Youth & Adolescents, Energy, Tertiary & Higher Education
Application Procedure: For application information, please visit: http://fondation.edf.com/presentez_un_projet
Brief Description: The A M Qattan Foundation an independent, not-for-profit developmental institution is working in the culture and education sectors targeting a variety of social groups, particularly children, teachers and young artists.
Geographical Coverage: Lebanon, Palestinian Territories
Area of Interest: Arts & Culture, Children, Education, Social Sciences, Youth & Adolescents, Literature, Performing Arts
Application Procedure: Each funding programme has a different application procedure. For full details click here.
Brief Description: Children for Tomorrow is a non-profit foundation with the aim of supporting children and families who have become victims of war, persecution and organized violence The foundation endeavors to provide support in the process of emotional recovery for children who have experienced various forms of violence
Geographical Coverage: Afghanistan, Congo DR, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria,
Area of Interest: Children, Immigration, Narcotics, Drugs & Crime, Violence Prevention
Application Procedure: Grants are offered seasonally in different issue areas. For further information click here.
Brief Description: The mission of the Fondation Sanofi Espoir is to help in reducing healthcare inequalities, particularly among the world’s most needy communities.
Geographical Coverage: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Congo DR, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, France, Guinea, Honduras, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Venezuela
Area of Interest: Children, Economic Development, Health, Livelihood, Health care, Reproductive Health & Family Planning
Application Procedure: The Foundation funds only those projects which comply with the objectives of the Foundation. For more information click here.
Brief Description: On His Path is a private, non-profit foundation, which was formed in 2009 by John and Jean Mitchell, for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing superior low-cost clubfoot braces for the disabled in developing countries.
Geographical Coverage: Antigua And Barbuda, Guatemala, Haiti, United States,
Area of Interest: Children, Disability
Application Procedure: The Foundation is currently accepting grant requests for the 2014 giving cycle. For more details on the application process please click here.
Written by Said Shah, Edited by Robin Toal
